Why Will Smith isn't in the 'Independence Day' sequel

The "Independence Day" sequel, "Independence Day:
Resurgence" is in theaters this weekend. If you head out to see
it, the first thing you'll probably notice is that Will
Smith isn't returning for another battle with aliens.

Since then, Emmerich spoke with Cinemablend
saying Smith was
originally up for returning in the sequel.
Emmerich said the film was expected to focus on the dynamic
between Smith's fighter pilot Captain Steven Hiller and his son,
Dylan. However, he changed his mind after his sci-fi movie "After
Earth"
bombed in 2013. That movie was centered around another
father-son duo, but starring his real-life son Jaden.

"In the very beginning, I wanted to work with him and he
was excited to be in it but then after a while he was tired of
sequels, and he did another science fiction film, which was his
father-son story, so he opted out,"
Emmerich told Cinemablend.

After
Earth trailer

So does the movie deal with Smith's absence?

Easy, they're killing him off. Fox launched a website called
The War of 1996 after
the debut of the first trailer last December showing a timeline
of events since the original film in 1996.

"While test piloting the ESD's first alien hybrid fighter,
an unknown malfunction causes the untimely death of Col. Hiller.
Hiller's valor in the War of 96 made him a beloved global icon
whose selfless assault against the alien mothership lead directly
to the enemy's defeat. He is survived by his wife Jasmine and son
Dylan."

It looks like Smith doesn't have the chance to even
come back in any more potential sequels.

Though Smith won't be back, a majority of actors from the
original 1996 movie are reprising their roles including Jeff
Goldblum, Vivica A. Fox, and Bill Pullman.